McEvoy Cavan Eagles celebrate winning the Domino’s Women’s Division One Final, National Basketball Arena, Dublin, last April. PHOTO: Tom Maher

Eagles soar to unprecedented heights

The Anglo-Celt Community & Sports Awards, in partnership with Mannok and Kingspan, will take place this evening in the Cavan Crystal Hotel. McEvoy's Cavan Eagles Senior Ladies are finalists for Team of the Year...

While Irish basketball at the elite level has tended be dominated by teams from Dublin, Munster and the west of Ireland, the new kids on the block, McEvoy’s Cavan Eagles, have soared to unprecedented heights, capturing the imagination of the county and cementing their place in the sport’s national landscape.

Under the astute leadership of coach John Stephens and a vibrant committee chaired by Graham Tolan, the Eagle’s senior women’s team completed a historic unbeaten season in the Women’s Division 1 National League, securing both the National Cup and promotion to the Super League.

The seeds of this remarkable campaign were sown in January, when the Eagles dismantled iSecure Swords Thunder 86-68 in the National Cup final. It was a masterclass in team basketball, with American star Lanetta Williams delivering a standout performance with 28 points. Rahmena Henderson added 16 points and 10 steals, further underlining her importance to the side.

“It just shows how hard it is to stop us when you work as a team and have the quality we have,” said Stephens after the final whistle.

For Cavan basketball, the victory was not only a historic first but a statement of intent. The Eagles were relentless in their pursuit of excellence, employing a game-by-game approach that ensured they remained focused and unflinching amid the rising expectations.

“We would have had targets, alright, targets for the Cup, targets for the Super League. But you don’t know. So we went game by game, game by game. We’re just delighted,” said Stephens, who also plays for the club’s Over 40s team.

That journey culminated in another defining moment, a 67-58 win over Limerick Celtics that sealed the unbeaten season and guaranteed Super League status. The Eagles' tactical discipline was evident throughout and every player contributed.

The rise of the Eagles is a testament to a meticulously executed plan. Stephens has cultivated a culture of resilience and belief, instilling in his players the confidence to take on any challenge. This was particularly evident in the National Cup final, where the Eagles weathered several Swords Thunder rallies before pulling away in the final quarter.

“We focus on a team philosophy and team basketball. The two girls from the States were super with that and really bought into it. I mean, it potentially hits on their stats - there are other pros in the league who teams revolve around. We don’t quite do it that way,” Stephens commented.

Eagles’ ascent to the Super League is not just a victory for the team but a watershed moment for women’s basketball in the county. Among those to star were the Tolan sisters, Emma, Niamh and Ciara, Americans Rahmena Henderson and Lanetta Williams, Ciara Brady, Casey Mulvey, Laura McFarland, Jane Larkin and Caitlin Carroll.

As they prepare for life in the top tier, the Eagles will undoubtedly face new challenges. The step up in class will be significant but with momentum on their sides and new faces likely to be drafted in, they will approach next year with confidence.

With special thanks to our partners and sponsors in these awards - Mannok, Kingspan, Sherry FitzGerald Declan Woods, Cavan Crystal Hotel, Dovida, Kyte Powertech, CICS Silo Clean and Joe Rowley Windows